SSF Firefighter/Medic Jesse Lange & crew deliver baby on way to hospital

South San Francisco, CA     June 10, 2015   Submitted by Leslie Arroyo, City of SSF

South San Francisco Firefighters Do More Than Just Fight Fires
Baby delivered Monday morning on Highway 101 en route to hospital

It’s been more than 10 years since firefighter and paramedic, Jesse Lange, has delivered a baby, but this past Monday morning, it was like he had been delivering for years. At 3:45am, Lange, a fire captain and another firefighter were dispatched to a home in South San Francisco for a pregnancy issue. The crew began transport to a nearby hospital, but at approximately the intersection of Highway 101 and 380, the baby was born. The crew immediately identified that the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby’s neck and took action by providing resuscitative care.

Thanks to Lange and the crew on R61, a healthy baby boy was born at 4:02am on its way to the hospital. Mom and baby are doing just fine and are resting peacefully at the hospital, getting ready to head home.

“I was really impressed with how calm the mother was throughout the whole ambulance ride,” says Lange. “When we first got the call, I figured we’d get to the hospital on time – but this little boy was ready to meet the rest of us.”

What makes South San Francisco’s Fire Department so unique is that every one of its firefighters is required to be or has been a paramedic and South San Francisco is the only city in the county to operate its own stand-alone ambulance service. Of the more than 70 firefighters on staff, the department can count on one hand the number of firefighters who have delivered a baby.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be a part of such a special moment,” said Lange. “Our crew was so touched that we have gathered up donations to provide a few gift cards to Target and Safeway, as well as a few t-shirts to give the family once they return home from the hospital.”